Coronavirus: Over 750 runners complete world's first-ever Marathon at Home

Dubai - Organisers say the initiative has gone global and saw participation from runners outside the Middle East.

An exercise that even elite runners have called the 'most mentally and physically exhausting sporting thing they've ever done', the world's first-ever 'Marathon at Home' event went underway in Dubai on Friday, April 10.

The event saw participation from 750 amateur and professional runners from across the world, with maximum participation from runners in the Middle East.

An initiative from the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), in collaboration with 5:30 Run club and ASICS Middle East, several newbie runners completed the marathon in the comforts of their homes over weekend. The fitness initiative, which comes under the 'Be Fit, Be Safe' campaign launched by the DSC, was launched with the aim of keeping members of the community in shape despite being restricted to their homes because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The constrain of space did not slow down the motivated runners either, Fuad Naser, the founder of 5:30 Run club told Khaleej Times.

"People ran inside studios, single-bedroom apartments. It proves that you only need will power, not space to complete such a feat," added Naser.

He added, "Many of the runners completed a full marathon of 42 km for the first time. We saw runners join us from across the world." Naser said runners tracked their pace and time using their smart watches which was connected to mobile applications, hence providing clear data of the runners.

Tony Wagler, a Dubai resident shared on his Instagram story, "That was the most mentally and physically exhausting sporting thing I've ever done. Finished a full marathon, inside my apartment." The race took him 4 hours 10 minutes.

Participants had the freedom to decide shape of their running course, but running on a treadmill or any other training equipment was not allowed. Running in public areas was also not allowed. The participant was required to physically run on ground, and inside their house.

• Dubai